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One of my favorite Christmas traditions is Tree Trimming Night. We reminisce over each ornament, telling the story of where it came from, why we have it or how we made it. We share the same memories every year, adding new ones along the way.

Some of our best ornaments are homemade—school crafts, home projects or party favors. Clear, glass ornaments are inexpensive at your local craft store. They can be filled with any number of things to create a personal decoration for the tree. A Sharpie or paint pen will also write on them, for an added touch.

One year, when I just couldn’t find the perfect solution for Stacia’s annual ornament gift, I made one of my own. I wrote all the tough words from her Spell Bowl season in black pen. I filled it with curled ribbon in her school’s colors. It was a fun & memorable gift—we still talk about it each year, even though it’s no longer with us. (Three kids, two broken ornaments. Ever year.)

We also like to select an ornament when we travel—it’s an inexpensive memento and we can think back on our trip every December. This year, we’re making our own vacation memento ornaments—how’s that for killing two birds with one stone? Way back in June, I was thinking ahead! Each day at the beach, I collected teeny, tiny shells. I wanted the little ones no else bothers with.

I also took a baggie and collected some sand. Next week, the girls and I will add sand to our clear, glass ornaments and drop a few seashells into each. I’m still trying to figure out just how to label them, but I think I’m going to let each girl just write Mrytle Beach 2010 on their own—it will make it even more personal for them. Or, maybe I’ll print a picture of them on the beach, cut it to fit & glue it to the back!

This can be done with just about anything. Use curling ribbon, glitter, feathers and other craft supplies to create a special keepsake, commemorate an event or just have a little fun. If you make something fun, I’d love to see pictures! What favorites hang on your Christmas tree?